Focus on Seniors

(Updated Aug. 15, 2006)

Hello, and welcome to my Senior Web page.

The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in December of 2003.

As you probably know, on January 1, 2006, Medicare began offering prescription drug coverage for the first time, under Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D offers interested seniors many choices. In New Jersey alone, Medicare beneficiaries have more than 40 different plans from which to choose -- some more comprehensive than others, some more expensive than others. Some plans are less than $5 and $15 a month. This choice allows seniors to carefully pick the Part D plan that best suits their needs, based on the prescriptions they take, the pharmacies they use and the amount of coverage they want.

May 15, 2006 was the initial deadline to sign up for seniors 65 and up. Seniors who have not signed up can choose do so during the next enrollment period, but at higher rates, averaging $2-3 dollars a month more.

I was happy to meet with officials from Burlington County and Ocean County Senior Offices, along with the State President of the AARP, encouraging people to consider signing up, prior to the deadline.

The next open enrollment period for Medicare recipients to sign up is November and December 2006. The program is designed with a financial incentive (lower fees) for seniors age 65 and up to sign up when they turn 65. Even those who chose not to sign up can decide to do so. The earlier you sign up, the lower the rate.

To try and give seniors more time to make an informed decision, I have decided to cosponsor legislation -- H.R. 4399 -- that would extend the initial enrollment period for six additional months, to November 14, 2006. However, it is not clear if this bill will pass, so please expect the current December deadline to be correct.

As Medicare's first-ever prescription drug coverage gets underway, please be assured that I will continue to follow this process. Ever since the legislation creating Medicare Part D was first signed into law, I have worked hard to make sure that the new plan is as beneficial as possible for New Jersey's seniors.

If you have specific questions about Medicare Part D, you can contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) office:

In Burlington County, that number is (609)894-9311 ext. 7498;

In Camden County, that number is (856)858-3220, and;

In Ocean County, that number is (732)929-2091.

In addition, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE for further information. You may also click on these links to review other helpful information compiled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services:

Introduction to the New Benefit

Guide to the New Benefit

Questions About the New Drug Program?

All Medicare recipients should consider signing up.

Again, thank you for visiting my website. If you have any questions regarding this important program, or other federal issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress

Please email Mr. Saxton about your questions in regard to Seniors issues.

MEETING W/ THE AARP - Cong. Saxton meets with Bill Lowery of Bordentown, N.J. & Winifred Quinn, Associate State Director of Health and Economic Security for the AARP N.J. State Office to discuss budget reconciliation and the cuts to Medicare & Medicaid.

TALKING ABOUT MEDICARE

TALKING ABOUT MEDICARE - Officials from MEDCO of Willingboro, N.J. recently came to Washington to talk about prescription drugs. Next to Mr. Saxton are Richard Palumbo (right), Director of Compliance Professional Practice Group, MEDCO, and Barry Cesanek, Director of Pharmacy Practice, MEDCO.

GOOD MEDICINE TALKS

GOOD MEDICINE TALKS - Congressman Jim Saxton talks about a new drug program for low and middle income New Jersey residents. At a visit to the Burlington County Health Department, he helped kick-off a new push to encourage seniors and others to apply for the program. Next to Mr. Saxton is Bill Healey, an official with the Health Institute of New Jersey which runs the program.

BACKING A PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM - Congressman Saxton recently spoke about a newly launched New Jersey program, RX4NJ, to offer free or heavily discounted drugs to low income individuals. Robert Gogats, the Public Health Coordinator for Burlington County, is pictured to the left of the Congressman, and Bill Healey, Executive Vice President of the Health Institute of New Jersey, is to the right.

HELPING RETIREES

HELPING RETIREES - Congressman Saxton meets with Military Officers Association to discuss retiree benefits.

HEALTHY TOPICS

HEALTHY TOPICS - Congressman Saxton meets with members of the South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition in Washington, D.C. recently to discuss health issues. From the left are Rhonda Berry (shaking Mr. Saxton's hand), Lester Medvene, Judy Wexler and Allen Wexler.

HELPING RETIREES

HELPING RETIREES - Congressman Saxton meets with Military Officers Association to discuss retiree benefits.

HEALTHY TOPICS

Proud Association

PROUD ASSOCIATION - Congressman Saxton takes time to meet with the New Jersey Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging this spring. Mr. Saxton is extremely active in senior issues, including Social Security, Medicare and IRA reform. From the left are Gary Gilmore, Ed House, Rep. Saxton, Kate Kwiecinski, Vic Amey and Kathleen Horton.

Healthy Chat

HEALTHY CHAT - Congressman Jim Saxton meets with Betty Gallo, of the Prostate Foundation in the congressman's Washington, D.C. office. The two discusses federal funding and other issues.

Working for a Cure

WORKING FOR A CURE - Members of the South Jersey Chapter of the National Breast Cancer Coalition met with Mr. Saxton this spring to discuss federal funding. From the left are Allan Wexler, Judy Wexler, Mr. Saxton, Loretta Mikulski, Carolyn Ochs and Rachel Vojir.

Taking a Gander

TAKING A GANDER - In May, Congressman Saxton brought the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to South Jersey to hear about local concerns of senior citizens, farmers, boaters and other residents who are alarmed about the population of resident Canada geese. Following a population explosion in the 1980s, the large birds have increased another 400 percent since 1990.

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